232808
228577


Protest disrupts NEB hearing

UPDATE: 7 a.m.

Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre has walked out of the Energy East hearings in Montreal with protesters disrupting the start of proceedings.

Coderre was scheduled to be the first speaker at this morning's hearings into the controversial pipeline project.

The mayor says he'll try to return Tuesday to give his testimony on TransCanada's project to transport crude oil from Alberta to New Brunswick.

A protester ran screaming towards the commissioners minutes before the hearings were to begin.

He was grabbed by security but overpowered them and was joined by several other protesters who chanted, held hands and prevented proceedings from getting going.

Many Quebec activists and politicians, including Coderre, have opposed the TransCanada project due to environmental concerns, although it has supporters as well.

The hearings are set for all week in Montreal before moving to Quebec City the week of Oct. 3.

About 150 people protested against the pipeline outside the downtown Montreal venue where the hearings were scheduled to take place.


ORIGINAL: 6:30 a.m.

The National Energy Board's review of the Energy East Pipeline is heading into what could be hostile territory when hearings resume today in Montreal.

First up to speak will be Mayor Denis Coderre, who has called for the hearings to be suspended after questioning their impartiality.

The Energy East project is a 4,500-kilometre pipeline that would see crude oil transported from Alberta to Eastern Canada.

Many politicians and activists in Quebec have opposed the project due to environmental concerns, although it has supporters as well.

A coalition of business groups and large unions came out in defence of the pipeline last week, saying it will spur economic development and job creation.

Hearings will be held in Montreal all week before moving to Quebec City the week of Oct. 3.



More Business News



232708
232757
Data from CryptoCompare
RECENT STORIES
232757
232168
Castanet Proud Member of RTNDA Canada
233111
Press Room
232207
229228